So, it’s Valentine’s Day, the alleged queen of made-up, Hallmark holidays. Love it or hate it, everything is pink, love is in the air and grocery stores are overflowing with giant stuffed animals. But the 14th doesn’t have to be all cards and candy. Events in and around Cincinnati have something for everyone to love this holiday — many held specifically in honor of Valentine’s Day — whether you’re single, in a relationship or somewhere in between.
BOOZE & FOODBB
Riverboats Valentine’s Day Cruise A smooth-sailing date that includes a buffet dinner and live music. Valentine’s Day packages available. Saturday-Sunday. $55 adults; $38 children. BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., 800-621-8586, bbriverboats.com.
Daveed's Mt. Adams A three-course dinner for you and someone special. Includes a dessert tasting. 5-8 p.m. $55 per person. 934 Hatch St., Mount Adams, 513-721-2665.
Forno Osteria + Bar Fill up on a pre-fixe menu, plus optional wine pairings. Two-hour seatings available at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $50; $15 wine pairings. 3514 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, fornoosteriabar.com.
Free Dessert at Izzy’s Eat lunch at Izzy’s and receive a free dessert. Choose from chocolate-pecan bundt cake with salted caramel or vanilla-bean bundt cake with raspberry crème. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Multiple locations including 800 Elm St., Downtown, izzys.com.
Grandview Tavern & Grille Dinner for two including an appetizer, dessert and a choice of Seabass Rockefeller, filet mignon or Grandview chicken. Wash it all down with a flute of champagne. Sunday. $100. 2220 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859-341-8439, grandviewtaverngrille.com.
Henke Winery The urban winery offers a four-course meal with bottles of select wine. 4-9 p.m. Sunday. $99 per couple. 3077 Harrison Ave., Westwood, 513-662-9463, henkewine.com.
La Petite France A gourmet three-course meal with choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert. 4:30 p.m. Sunday. $62.95. 3177 Glendale-Miflord Road, Evendale, 513-733-8383, lapetitefrance.biz.
Love Moer on Carol Ann’s Carousel Follow up dinner at the Moerlein Lager House with a romantic carousel ride. Moerlein is teaming up with Carol Ann’s Carousel and the Cincinnati Parks Department to provide everyone who dines at the restaurant this weekend with a pass for a complimentary ride. Carousel operates 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5-8 p.m. Sunday. Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, moerleinlagerhouse.com.
Nada $50 buys four courses for two. Includes a guacamole trio, salad, tacos and dessert. Friday-Sunday. $50 per couple. 600 Walnut St., Downtown, nada.com.
Newport Syndicate Dinner and a show that features comedian Terry Foster and live music from Slow Burn. 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday. $50; $80 couple. 18 E. Fifth St., Newport, 859-491-8000, newportsyndicate.com.
Orchids at Palm Court Five-diamond restaurant Orchids at Palm Court serves up Valentine’s Day eats all weekend with two different seatings, including four and six courses respectively. Reservations required. Friday-Sunday. First seating $85; second seating $105. Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-421-9100, orchidsatpalmcourt.com.
The Palace A romantic dinner with a five-course tasting menu. Thursday-Sunday. $75 Thursday; $85 Friday; $95 Saturday-Sunday. The Cincinnatian Hotel, 601 Vine St., Downtown, 513-381-3000, palacecincinnati.com.
Revolution Rotisserie & Bar’s Single’s Brunch V-Day is not just for couples (although couples are also welcome). Celebrate and treat yourself to a boozy brunch. Includes bottomless mimosas, Cards Against Humanity and hourly gift card giveaways. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. 1106 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-0009, revolutionrotisserie.com.
The Summit Treat your date to a special three-course Valentine’s Day menu. Thursday-Saturday. $45. 3520 Central Parkway, Clifton, 513-569-1500, cincinnatistate.edu.
Valentine’s Dinner at the Zoo This wild date night includes special close-up animal encounters in addition to dinner, dessert, a cash bar, wine-and-dine options and complimentary champagne. Guests will learn about the extreme measures some animals take to find a compatible mate in the wild. Saturday-Sunday. $150 per couple. 3400 Vine St., Avondale, 513-281-4700, cincinnatizoo.org.
Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant Meal includes fresh oysters, two entrées, salads, a bottle of wine and chocolate-covered strawberries. But that’s not the best part — guests will also enjoy a half-hour horse-drawn carriage ride through the city. Friday-Sunday. $125; $90 without carriage ride. 1000 Elm St., Downtown, 513-421-0110, washingtonplatform.com.
Wine Pairing Dinner at The Phoenix The Wine Merchant hosts this event to satiate thirsts and appetites. Includes four courses. 7 p.m. Saturday. $75. 812 Race St., Downtown, thephx.com.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
Antique Valentines Exhibit Learn about the valentines of yesteryear at the Warren County Historical Society, where a collection of cards is on display throughout the month. Through Feb. 29. Free. 105 S. Broadway St., Warren County, 513-932-1817, wchsmuseum.org.
Cinderella The Cincinnati Ballet presents a classic tale of love and dreams. Fairy godmothers, pumpkins, magical mice, lost slippers and live orchestration from the CSO. Friday-Sunday. Tickets start at $32. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cballet.org.
My Furry Valentine Cincinnati’s largest adoption event returns to the Sharonville Convention Center for its fifth year of connecting animals in need with forever families. Meet a variety of pets including cats, dogs, rodents, reptiles and birds — more than 500 adoptable animals from 40 local rescue groups will be in attendance. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $3 admission fee. Sharonville Convention Center, 1355 Chester Road, Sharonville, myfurryvalentine.com.
Origami: The Art of Paper for Valentine’s The Weston Art Gallery hosts a themed workshop for children 5-12 and their families. Kids will learn how to transform paper to create one-of-a-kind pieces to take home with them. 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. $5 per child. Aronoff Center Green Room (fourth floor), 650 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-977-4165, westonartgallery.com/learn.
The Stars in Your Eyes A kid-friendly event held at Wolff Planetarium that regales participants with some of the greatest love stories ever told. Cozy up under the stars and settle in for an evening of storytelling. 7-8 p.m. Friday. $5. Wolff Planetarium, Trailside Nature Center, 3400 Brookline Drive, Corryville, 513-751-3679, cincinnatiparks.com.
Valentine’s Day Eve Second Sunday Meet local artists and check out their work at Milford’s One Main Gallery. A variety of artwork will be on display and for sale, including pieces from Rookwood Pottery. 5-8 p.m. Saturday. Free to attend. One Main Gallery, 1 Main St., Milford, 513-600-9363, onemaingallery.net.
MUSIC
Catacoustic Consort: The Heroic Baroque Violin Spend Valentine’s Day with modern and Baroque violinist Krista Bennion Beeney. Accompanied by harpsichord and bass viola da gamba, Beeney takes on pieces by Leclair, Biber and Bach. 3 p.m. Sunday. $25 general; $10 students; free children 12 and under. Church of the Advent, 2366 Kemper Lane, E. Walnut Hills, 513-772-3242, catacoustic.com.
CCO Presents La Serva Padrona and Stabat Mater The Cincinnati Chamber Opera performs a double bill of works by Giovanni Battista. The night kicks off with La Serva Padrona, a comedic one-act intermezzo often credited with bridging the gap between the Baroque and Classical eras. The second half of the program is a staging of Stabat Mater, which tells the biblical story of Jesus’ crucifixion from Mary’s point of view. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $25 adults; $20 students and seniors. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 100 Miami Ave., Terrace Park, cincinnatichamberopera.com.
Sonic Valentine for the Earth This local concert is part of a worldwide event called World Sound Healing Day, which combines sounds to generate peace and harmony. Featured musicians include Audrey Causilla, chant and piano; Vivian Hurley, gongs; Baoku Moses, Nigerian drumming and chant; and Janice T. Sunflower, Native American flutes. 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $15. Grace Episcopal Church, 5501 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, 513-541-2415, gracecollegehill.org.
Tigerlilies with The Sundresses Acclaimed local Rock band Tigerlilies is taking over Cincinnati all month long, performing a free show every week in February. On Saturday, the band plays Northside’s The Comet with The Sundresses, honoring Valentine’s Day by taking “prom photos” with attendees — come dressed in your tackiest school-dance attire. 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Free. The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook.com/thetigerliliesusa.
ONSTAGE
Chapter Two This comical love story revolves around a widowed writer, George, who — although still grieving for his late wife — hesitantly reenters the world of dating. Through Feb. 14. $26. Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Ave., Covedale, 513-241-6550, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.
Grounded This one-woman story revolves around a fighter pilot “grounded” by her pregnancy. From a windowless trailer in a desert outside of Las Vegas, she flies drones above the Middle East. Cincinnati native Kathleen Wise stars. Through Sunday. $28-$44. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-3555, ensemblecincinnati.org.
I’m with Cupid Comedy Show This funny Valentine features headliner Jay Snyder and feature act Wendi Furguson. The party keeps going after the show with live music by Cincy classic Rock band Bad Habit and local country group Stagger Lee. 8 p.m. Saturday. $10 cover. Blue Note Harrison, 9660 Dry Fork Road, Harrison, 513-202-3570.
Native Gardens Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park presents a world premiere from Karen Zacarías about what happens when good intentions meet bad manners. Friendly neighbors become bitter enemies over disputes surrounding a longstanding fence line. Through Feb. 21. $30-$86. 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Mount Adams, 513-421-3888, cincyplay.com.
Noir by Passion: A Pole Troupe Dance performance group Passion: A Pole Troupe presents their third show, Noir, at Northside Tavern, featuring aerial art, dance pieces, burlesque, acro-yoga and more. 8 p.m. Saturday; doors open 7 p.m. $15 online; $20 day of show; $45 VIP couples. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook.com/passionapoletroupe.
Rodney Perry at the Funny Bone Comedian Rodney Perry — co-host of BET’s The Mo’Nique Show — takes over Funny Bone. Show 21 and up. Showtimes Thursday through Sunday. $15-$17. Funny Bone on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport, Ky., levee.funnybone.com.
PARTIES/EVENTS
Krohn by Candlelight The Krohn keeps its doors open a little later for an adults-only date night. Stroll through the conservatory’s current spring show, Hatching Spring Blooms, and stop by the education room to learn about chocolate. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. $12; reservations required. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, 513-421-4086, cincinnatiparks.com.
Luau Lunacy Mystery Dinner This installment of Great Parks of Hamilton County’s Mystery Dinner Series features a luau that may or — most likely — may not go as planned. 7 p.m. Saturday; doors open 6:30 p.m. $35. Mill Race Banquet Center, Winton Woods, 1515 West Sharon Road, greatparks.org.
Romance in the Heavens NKU's Haile Digital Planetarium presents an evening of live music, actors telling romantic constellation lore, dessert and coffee. Adults only. 7:30-9 p.m. Saturday. $20 per couple. Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, Ky., 859-572-5600.
Skate with your Date on Fountain Square Spend Valentine’s Day on the ice with complimentary 2-for-1 skating. In between skating sessions, enter to win a grand prize package from radio station KISS 107.1. Noon-9 p.m. Sunday.$6; $4 skate rental. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.
SpokenWord Soul: Heart to Heart Set at the Greenwich The Greenwich sets the mood with a wine tasting before welcoming featured guests Michael Barringer and Laura Wize and special guest Matther SlimdaReazon Parham, a poet and performer from Los Angeles. Live music is provided by Andre Burbridge on drums and Barnabas Doc Edwards on guitar. 8 p.m. Saturday. $10 cover; includes light appetizer. The Greenwich, 2442 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-221-1151, facebook.com/groups/spokenwordsoul.
Valentine's Night at the Observatory Give your sweetie the universe. Evening includes music, drinks, chocolate, flowers and a viewing of the moon through the Observatory's historic telescope. 8-10 p.m. Sunday. $60 per couple. 3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout, cincinnatiobservatory.org.
